Russian Mi-28NE "Night Hunter" Combat Attack Helicopter (P2/2)

Description:
Description: Mil Mi-28 was developed as a potential replacement for Soviet Army Mi-24 attack/assault helicopter in the late 1980s. Dubbed 'Havoc' by NATO/Western Intelligence the original Mi-28 was a twin-seat attack helicopter heavier and larger than US Army's AH-64A Apache due to a more effective armor made of titanium and ceramics. The Soviet Union collapse and the Russian turmoil delayed its development and fielding. In the mid-1990s Mil introduced an improved variant equipped with wingtip mounted countermeasures and a mast-mounted millimeter wave radar in addition to the nose radome infrared/laser sight system already introduced on the Mi-28. The new variant was named the Mi-28N and was optimized for night/all-weather attack missions. The maiden flight of Mi-28N occurred in April 1997.

The Mi-28NE 'Night Hunter' is the latest variant of Mi-28 attack helicopter. Mi-28NE has been designed to conduct hunter-killer missions against enemy main battle tanks, helicopters, ground forces and armored equipment. Its basic range relying on internal fuel tanks is 450 kilometers but fitted with external fuel tanks may be extended to 1,100 kilometers. Mi-28NE weapon system comprises a 30mm 2A42 gun with 250 ready-to-fire rounds mounted under the nose; 23mm gun pods; up to 16 9M114, 9M120 and 9M120F anti-tank missiles; Infrared-guided Igla air-to-air missiles; 80mm and 122mm unguided rockets. Mi-28NE also features a low altitude collision avoidance system, state-of-the-art avionics and a sophisticated weapon control system.

Mi-28NE is powered by two TV3-117VMA turboshafts developing 2,200-shp each. The armored cockpit protects the crew from small arms fire and absorbs the impact energy during emergency landings providing thus outstanding survivability. In addition to the crew of two (pilot and weapon system operator), Mi-28NE can transport 2-3 men in a rear compartment. The service ceiling is 5,700 meters and only 3,600 meters out of ground effect.

As of December 2008, Russia had logged export orders for as many as 12 Mi-28N helicopters with some orders coming from Venezuela. On December 22, 2008, the Russian press announced a deal worth $1 billion between Rosoboronexport and Turkey for the sale of 32 ex-Russian Mi-28 Havoc attack helicopters after the failure of a potential deal with the United States for the purchase of Cobra and Super Cobra helicopters. The Turkish helicopters may be intended to fight the Kurdish guerrilla.

The first six Mi-28N combat helicopters entered service with Russian Army in the North Caucasus military district on April 21, 2009. Up to 67 helicopters are expected to be delivered to the Russian Army in the next few years.
Specifications